Suspect In Vegas Chip Heist Arrested In Southern California

November 08, 2012
By
Martinian & Associates

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Police have allegedly taken a suspect accused of stealing from a Las Vegas
casino into custody. The man is currently awaiting extradition from California
to Nevada, where he is expected to stand trial. According to initial reports
filed by law enforcement officials after the arrest, the defendant is
a 31-year old man from Palmdale. Authorities believe that the suspect
was involved in the recent
theft of a large number of high-value chips from the Venetian casino in Las Vegas.

The man allegedly walked into the gambling establishment in the early hours
of the morning on October 10th. At approximately 6 a.m., authorities claim, the suspect entered a restricted
area of the casino and was able to walk away with a large quantity of
the chips. Casino officials estimate that the haul was valued at around
$1.6 million. It is not yet clear if the man had help from an accomplice
during the crime.

After conducting an initial investigation, Las Vegas law enforcement discovered
surveillance video had recorded several images of the alleged suspect.
No other witnesses were able to found, and it is not believed that the
man used a weapon or met anyone inside the restricted area.

Nevertheless, investigators say they identified the man by a fibrous growth
located on his left ear. Deputies from the Los Angeles and San Bernardino
Sheriff's Departments were able to track the suspect down near his
mother's Southern California home on October 24th. According to officials with the Nevada Gaming Commission, they recovered
almost $400,000 worth of stolen chips.

Despite the immense estimated value of the rare chips, authorities say
they do not think the suspect would have been able to turn a profit with
the loot. The chips are only used by a small number of casino regulars
and highly-ranked players in the poker circuit, all of whom are known
to officials and would have drawn attention had they suddenly acquired
a large number of them. Police are holding the 31-year-old at the Los
Angeles County jail. He is expected to be charged with several crimes,
including burglary, possession of burglary tools, and grand larceny.

If you have been charged with a serious theft crime, the odds are not stacked
in your favor. You can expect to face a lengthy prison sentence if convicted
of such an offense. There is hope, however, with the help of the skilled
legal team at
Martinian & Associates Inc. Lawyers with our firm are dedicated to battling on your behalf and protecting
your innocence as aggressively as possible. We believe that every client
deserves the presumption of innocence, and is entitled to a fair trial.

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